KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 23 -- Malaysian children may soon begin formal schooling at six years old instead of seven, after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim suggested lowering the entry age to bring the country in line with international education standards.

Anwar said the proposal forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Malaysia's education system and ensure students are not disadvantaged compared with their regional and global peers. However, he did not announce a specific timeline or confirm any immediate policy changes.

The suggestion is outlined under the National Education Blueprint 2026-2035.

The move has reignited debate over whether Malaysia's education structure - particularly its later starting age - continues to reflect...